Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Owen Ross was shot and killed by a wealthy, well-connected local political figure who had received a commission as a Deputy United States Marshal.
Officer Ross was acting as the patrol wagon driver and was transporting a prisoner to jail for a local offense. The deputy marshal confronted Officer Ross and demanded that the prisoner be freed. Officer Ross refused to release the prisoner and a heated argument ensued in which Officer Ross drew his weapon. The deputy marshal left the scene, but returned after retrieving a revolver. He then shot Officer Ross in the back several times, killing him.
The man was charged with Officer Ross' murder but used his political connections during the ensuing trials and convictions. He was tried four times and was eventually only convicted of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced to one day in jail and fined $1. The following year he was convicted of operating over 500 illegal slot machines throughout the state.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WV-4AF9744F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Ross served with the Huntington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Huntington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Ross.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Owen C. Ross is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In WV, 169 of 232 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.8% of this state's fallen. That is 72.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Huntington Police Department, 6 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Owen C. Ross's cause is highlighted.
How Owen C. Ross Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Owen C. Ross is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Owen C. Ross was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Huntington Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
